The Chef Craig Kuhns Flavors of the Adriatic Culinary Tour

Slovenia and Croatia

CR
Chef Richard Gruica
  • Email address verified
27 reviews
Nov 10 - 17, 2024
Group size: 1 - 18
The Chef Craig Kuhns Flavors of the Adriatic Culinary Tour
Slovenia and Croatia

Chef Richard Gruica
  • Email address verified
27 reviews

Nov 10 - 17, 2024
Group size: 1 - 18

About this trip

The Chef Craig Kuhns Flavors of the Adriatic Culinary Tour of Croatia and Slovenia

November 10th to November 17th, 2024


Indulge your senses in an unparalleled epicurean extravaganza as Chef Richard Gruica, the culinary virtuoso behind The Gourmet Vacation, in collaboration with Captivating Croatia Tours, extends an elegant invitation to you. Join us on a gastronomic odyssey alongside our esteemed Chef-Host, the beloved Chef Craig Kuhns hailing from The Cooks Station in enchanting Greenville, South Carolina. Together, let us embark on an epicurean escapade to the alluring realms of serene Slovenia and exotic Croatia, for a week-long journey unlike any other. 


This opulent voyage awaits you from the 10th of November to the 17th, a rendezvous with epicurean destiny that shall immerse you in the unparalleled delights of these captivating regions. As we traverse the undulating landscapes of Slovenia, and delve into the heart of Istria, often referred to as Croatia's answer to Tuscany, we shall unearth the raw, unbridled beauty of these locales. With autumn's gentle embrace, the scenery shall be painted with the vibrant hues of the season, each vista steeped in a rich tapestry of history and folklore.


Prepare to be ensnared by the symphony of flavors that await you, masterfully curated by Chef Craig and Chef Richard, as we embark on a journey christened the "Flavors of the Adriatic Tour." Here, the very essence of the Adriatic's culinary heritage will be unveiled before your discerning palate, complemented by the finest libations and vistas that can only be described as breathtaking. This is no ordinary holiday; it is a luxurious escape that caters to your every desire, an opulent adventure deserving of your refined taste. Escape the ordinary, experience the extraordinary!



What’s included

  • Chef Time
    The chance to eat, drink, explore, experience, interact and learn alongside Chef Craig personally throughout the trip.
  • 7 Night's Accommodation
    Luxury accommodation 4 stars or higher
  • All Excursions
    Including food, tastings & classes
  • All Transportation
    All transportation after pick-up in Venice is included
  • Meals
    All Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 4 Dinners-Including one 1 star and other Michelin recommended stops!
  • Private Guide
    Your guide (Chef Richard Gruica) is Croatian-American and also a chef!

What’s not included

  • Airfare
    Airfare is not included
  • Travel Insurance
    This is very STRONGLY recommended
  • Extra Tips/Gratuities
    Any extra you wish to tip on your own. For guides .driver, servers, etc.
  • Extra Food/Drink
    Any other food/drink not provided on the tour
  • Private Water Taxi
    Private Water Taxi

Available Packages

Trip Price
$4,949
Deposit: $1,000

Available Add-Ons

Single Person Supplement
$1,000

Itinerary

Day 1: Sun, Nov 10th
Tour Kickoff - Venice to Slovenia: Unveiling Wine Country Wonders

Day 1: Sunday, November 10th

Tour Kickoff - Venice to Slovenia: Unveiling Wine Country Wonders


Welcome to Chef Craig Kuhns' Flavors of the Adriatic Culinary Tour of Croatia and Slovenia. Our adventure commences in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy, where a luxurious van eagerly awaits to transport our guests to the picturesque landscapes of Slovenia. As we journey, anticipation for an extraordinary food and wine experience builds.


Our initial destination leads us to the renowned wine country of Slovenia, where a delightful gourmet lunch awaits us high atop a terrace with stunning vineyard views below. Amidst this panoramic backdrop, we will indulge in a multi-course meal featuring local delicacies and savor the internationally acclaimed sparkling, natural, and orange wines of the region. This exquisite culinary experience is curated at a place known for its expertise in meats, with a particular highlight being their heavenly in-house prosciutto. Led by the talented husband and wife duo, Nejka and Chef Uroš, this venue is a true temple of cuisine, wine, and art.


Following our culinary escapades, we will proceed to Ljubljana, Slovenia's captivating capital with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Upon check-in at the luxurious 5-star Hotel Intercontinental, we'll regroup before embarking on a delightful walking tour of the city. Ljubljana's picturesque charm and vibrant atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable evening, providing you with the freedom to explore and immerse yourself in the city's delights at your own pace.


Overnight Stay: Hotel Intercontinental - 5-Star

https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/ljubljana/ljuha/hoteldetail 


Please be advised that each guest is responsible for arriving in Venice, Italy, at their own convenience before the tour commences on Sunday, November 10th. Our departure is scheduled around noon from Tronchetto, Venice's transportation hub. Kindly ensure your arrival is before 11:45 AM, as the bus will be stationed for a brief period. To ensure a smooth start to our adventure, we recommend arriving no later than Saturday, November 9th, allowing us to depart together on the 10th. Guests not present at the designated departure time will need to make arrangements for their transportation to our initial hotel in Slovenia. As the tour concludes, we will return all guests to our central return spot, after which they will be responsible for their ongoing accommodations and transportation.

Your Organizer


CR
Chef Richard Gruica
27 reviews
From an early age, Chef Richard Gruica saw how food and drink could unite people, regardless of their backgrounds, making everyone happy. With his passion for gastronomy, he decided to create the most incredible of edible journeys. Through extensive research, he presents some of the finest examples of tradition, craft and small producers from across the globe to the guests of his tours. More significantly, guests get to meet and enjoy the people that have a true passion for what they do. Forget ordinary, experience extraordinary!

Reviews

It was a wonderful culinary trip! We visited many great places, all related to a complete food and beverage experience.Fantastic itinerary, complete with great Chef leadership,farms pubs,,distilleries,breweries,,accomodations,tours,sights.and restaurants! Chef Sarah and Richard made it an unforgettable trip!
By Harold M for Chef Sarah McClure's: Sights, Bites & Sips Tour of Ireland on Jun 22, 2025
I had a wonderful experience with Chef Richard and Chef Chris! The itinerary, food, sight seeing, educational components and fellow travelers were beyond expectations.
By Beth T for Savoring Spain: Chef Chris Coleman's Basque Bites & Rioja Nights on Jun 17, 2025
JR
Great trip for food and wine lovers. We enjoyed some new cultural experiences, learned about Basque wine and food, and met new friends.
By Jim R for Savoring Spain: Chef Chris Coleman's Basque Bites & Rioja Nights on Jun 11, 2025
I’ve been on lots of food tour and this one is spectacular
By nelson f for Springtime Flavors: Chef Michael Schwartz's Culinary Journey on Apr 29, 2025
CS
As one of the chefs helping to lead a tour with The Gourmet Vacation I cannot recommend the experience enough both as a chef and as a guest. Chef Richard had every aspect of our trip planned to perfection with experiences every day that were unique and bespoke. We got to not just be tourists but really delve into the food culture and lives of the locals by doing things like visiting the home workshop of knifemaker Hugo Boyne and taking a morning walk through the market with Michelin chef JP McMahon. The coach and driver Padraig was another highlight of the trip, we made us feel safe, welcomed and regaled us with personal stories during the drives. All the hotels were lovely but especially the Powerscourt Estate where we spent our final night gave us a little taste of luxury to end our wonderful experience.
By Chef Sarah M for Chef Sarah McClure's: Sights, Bites & Sips Tour of Ireland on Apr 15, 2025
Show More Reviews

References

Our trip to Ireland was absolutely incredible. Richard Gruica is truly the best host, ensuring that every moment was unforgettable with his remarkable expertise and genuine hospitality. If you are in search of an amazing experience, you definitely need to get in touch with him!
By Tiffany F on 12 May, 2025
What a trip! Richard created an amazing itinerary that included something for everyone. His connections to local chefs, farmers, tour guides, etc made this an unforgettable trip. Accommodations were first class, beautiful hotels and very comfortable transportation along the way. We look forward to another trip with him!
By Lewis W on 10 May, 2023